A new event was added to the 2002 Wendy's Championship for Children LPGA Golf Tournament: The Chiropractic Wellness & Fitness Expo. The Tournament, held at Tartan Fields in Dublin, Ohio ended Aug. 4. It was

sponsored by the OSCA (Ohio State Chiropractic Association) BioFreeze, California Fitness of Dublin, OH, Interactive Health/Human Touch Technologies, Chiropractic Wellness & Fitness Magazine, Foot Levelers and the Chiropractic Leadership Alliance (CLA).

Inside the clubhouse, situated near the players' locker rooms, a chiropractic and massage clinic was set up. During the tournament, it was accessed by more than a third of the players, caddies, tournament personnel and media. Many had never experienced chiropractic before.

ESPN broadcaster, Mary Bryan visited the clinic and was given the 'full' course of care by Chiropractic Tournament Director, Andrew Mowry, D.C.

Players such as Anne-Marie Palli, Pamela Wright, Rosie Jones, Tracy Hanson and others were effusive in their appreciation for the care and attention they were given.

Hanson spoke with Karen Kelley, Promotions Coordinator for the Chiropractic Wellness & Fitness Expo. "I just want to thank you all for the wonderful care and treatment we were given this week," she said. "This was needed very much and all the players are talking about the chiropractic clinic and how much better they felt after being examined and adjusted. Now back to reality."

Not all tournaments currently offer chiropractic services. The Chiropractic Wellness & Fitness Expo Team consisted of area chiropractors and massage therapists who volunteered their time to prove postural alignment screenings.

Two new diagnostic tools were used as a specialized service to the LPGA players: the Insight Millennium Subluxation Station by CLA and the FAS SCAN by Foot Levelers.

The Insight Station performs three separate tests that detects nerve disturbance and documents the results with a colored printout of each test. The FAS SCAN provides a customized orthotic printout.

The chiropractic and EMG scanning technology enhanced the services provided by the LPGA-sponsored Health South physical therapy mobile unit.

Quite often the player would be referred back to the PT unit for special focus on problem areas that were detected in the chiropractic clinic. "Muscle tone and stretching needs to be done over a properly aligned frame," explained Mowry. "Not doing so is like building a house on an unlevel foundation. The EMG scanning unit quickly shows where nerve interference is occurring and allows the doctor to provide the best care."

An NBC reporter and camera man showed up at the Chiropractic Wellness and Fitness Tent late Saturday afternoon.

"We heard this is the most popular booth outside on the tournament and had to come over and see what's happening over here," he said. Kelley walked him through the expo tent and into the clinic to meet with the doctors and staff.

The Chiropractic Wellness and Fitness tent also offered massage recliner chairs for the patrons to sit in with fans circulating air through the tent. Water and ice gel packs were available for those who were overheated. Chair massages were offered as well by volunteer licensed massage therapists from the area. Chiropractors were on hand to give spinal and postural alignment screenings and used the opportunity to educating parents and children about backpack safety.